ROSS KELLS, New York City. (Deceased.)
A bright light went out in the railroad world when Ross Kells (then Superintendent of Motive Power of the Erie) died in New York City on March 10, 1892. He was born in Steubenville, Ohio, January 20, 1840, and at the age of 16 began his highly successful railroad career as a brakeman on the old Steubenville & Indiana Railroad, which is now known as the "Pan Handle." After braking a short time he went to firing, holding this last position for two years, then going into the shops at Steubenville as a machinist's apprentice. He worked there until 1864 when he enlisted in Company B, 157th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a corporal and was stationed at Fort Delaware during the term of his enlistment, being mustered out at Camp Chase, Ohio, at the end of the war. He returned to railroading and was stationed at Dennison, Ohio, as Night Engine Dispatcher on the "Pan Handle," remaining a year, when he was promoted to the day position as Engine Dispatcher. From that he was advanced to gang foreman in the machine shops, and in 1870 he was made general foreman. On July 1, 1875, he was promoted to Master Mechanic, which position he retained until August 1, 1882, when he severed his connection with the "Pan Handle" to accept the position of Superintendent of Motive Power on the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, with headquarters at Cleveland. On January 1, 1883, he resigned to accept the same position with the New York & New England Railroad, with offices at Boston. From this place he returned to Cleveland to become General Manager of the Page Car Wheel Company. Learning of Mr. Kells' high qualifications the Erie secured his services as Assistant Superintendent of Motive Power on February 12, 1887, and on January 1, 1888, he was promoted to Superintendent of Motive Power, which place he held at the time of his death.

Mr. Kells was married September 29, 1859, to Miss Mary Jane MacDonald, of Steubenville, Ohio, and four children were born to them. George, the oldest, died when young; Julia resides in Meadville; Willard, now Master Mechanic of the Erie at Meadville, and Ross, Jr., now air brake instructor for the Erie at Hornellsville. Mrs. Kells resides with her son, Willard, in his pleasant home at Meadville.


Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.